Balotelli is certainly no stranger to antagonism from rival supporters and players but, after he rose above all taunts directed his way on Tuesday night, Prandelli backed the 22-year-old to keep on scoring on the road to Brazil.

He told FIGC.it: "He just needs to get used to that kind of thing. He has to stay strong and keep his cool when people are trying to wind him up, like he did tonight."

Balotelli's second goal followed a nervy moment for Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon, who guessed the right way to save Michael Mifsud's penalty after he had fouled Andre Schembri in the box.

"He did that at the perfect moment - like a captain should," Prandelli said of his goalkeeper, before turning his thoughts to Italy's general performance.

"We knew they wouldn't give us any space," he added. "We were too slow in building up moves and we had difficulty going forward even though we kept possession.

"There was a lack of intensity in the final third. There was far too much distance between the backline and the midfield.